Forget Brexit - UK tourists turn up at traditional Christmas markets
206 views · Published 15 December 2018 · 6:29 · Indexed 25 September 2026
Channel: AP Archive · 2018 · News & Politics
(10 Dec 2018) LEADIN The Christmas markets in Berlin are drawing tourists from around the globe. The German capital has over 60 Christmas markets, hoping to cash in on traditional food, drink and crafts. STORYLINE It is the most wonderful time of year - especially in Berlin. The German capital has over 60 Christmas markets dotted throughout the city, and as of Monday the 26th of November most opened their doors to the thousands of people who want to get in to the Christmas spirit early. Here at the Gendarmenmarkt in central Berlin, the Christmas market is surrounded by three famous buildings: the Neoclassical Concert house of Berlin on one end and the German Church and French Church facing each other at the other two ends. Christmas markets have a long tradition in Germany, with the first appearing in the 14th century in Bavaria. In Berlin there have been Christmas markets held for at least five centuries. The festive markets play an important role. Families meet to eat and buy presents and work colleagues often go to the markets for a cup of mulled wine after a day on the office. But there are of course also a lot of tourists at this time of year. Berlin is the third most popular tourist destination in Europe, after London and Paris, according to the Berlin tourism offices' annual report. Most visitors come from the United Kingdom. Robert Shaw and Emma Shaw traveled to Berlin from Warwick in the UK specifically to be in the city for the first day of the Christmas markets. "We planned actually, didn't we, to come to the opening day. So, its been really good so far. A little cold but that's exactly what we expected so it's great," says Robert. Jack Parsons and Rachel Miller, also from the UK, went straight to the Christmas market after landing in Berlin. "Yeah loving it. It is really great. We have had a bratwurst. Have had a mulled wine," says Miller. Most markets will have live music throughout the days and evenings and of course, plus countless stalls where people can buy presents of Christmas decorations. But in the end, most people come to spend time with loved ones. Ralph Diele, visiting from Bad Salzuflen in Germany, visited the Chrismas market to spend some time with family on his birthday. "My daughter lives in Berlin and wanted to celebrate my birthday with her boyfriend and my wife here in Berlin. And specifically here at the Christmas market because it is so cool," he says. Torsten Herzberg, a Berlin native, says the Christmas markets are an important part of the seasonal traditions. "It is very important. You spend time together with the people you love. You can drink and eat. It is simply nice," he says. Each year over 13-million people visit Berlin, according to the annual report of the tourism office. Many of the visitors in late November and December come specifically for the Christmas markets, according to Christian Taenzler, spokesperson for Visit Berlin. "Berlin is the capital of Christmas markets," he says. "We have more than 60 Christmas markets here. And people come here specifically at the end of November until the start of January - because it lasts quite long here - to enjoy the Christmas markets." At Breitscheidplatz in the center of Berlin, people have lit candles for the victims of the 2016 attack where 12 people died after a man rammed in to the market with a truck. The memorial is a stark reminder of that day when the Christmas spirit turned in to a day of terror. The market itself is located in the Western part of the city, under the broken tower of the Memorial Church that serves as a reminder of the horrors of World War II. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/7e076bd1a5488e15fad7c4333a7fb0aa
